Featured Recipe: Crispy Hot Wings
March 13, 2011
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is Crispy Sticky Hot Wings. They are close to famous restaurant hot wings. Add more hot sauce for an extra kick.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Did You Remember To Spring Forward?
March 13, 2011
Did you remember to Spring Forward? Today is the first day of Daylight Savings time. The clock at the Escambia County Bank in Flomaton (pictured) is one of the largest clocks in the area. Bank officials say the clock is rather easy to “spring forward” — it is all electronic. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Molino Brush Fire Consumes Several Acres
March 12, 2011
Firefighters were able to quickly contain a brush fire Saturday afternoon in Molino before it reached two nearby structures.
The fire, which started as a control burn, consumed several acres on Chance Road near Chestnut Road during the early afternoon hours. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Division of Forestry responded to the blaze.
Pictured above and below: A brush fire consumed several acres on Chance Road in Molino Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Florida Weekly Government Roundup: Don’t Blink, Or You’ll Miss It
March 12, 2011
Don’t blink.
If you close your eyes for even a minute these days, you might miss the sale of a state plane, the canceling of a train project – or two – a major change in the way teachers are paid, all kinds of things that seem to be happening in the blink of an eye, at least in terms of the usual government time for getting things done.
When Gov. Rick Scott gave his first State of the State speech this week and urged legislators, “don’t blink,” that wasn’t exactly what he meant, but people could have taken it that way.
In a whirlwind week for the Legislature and for Scott, a front-loaded legislative agenda had major pieces of legislation sailing through one chamber or the other.
In the first week of the 2011 session, the Senate passed a complete change in the way teachers are paid, voting to end a years-old system where educators are compensated based on their tenure to one where they get raises based on their students doing well on tests.
Also in the first week, the House voted to shorten the length of time unemployment benefits are available in an effort to help out businesses who say all the people without jobs are costing them too much. That’s a major change for the unemployed who would see their benefits end sooner if the proposal gets through the Senate.
If that wasn’t enough excitement, late in the week Scott put the brakes, at least for now, on central Florida’s SunRail, a commuter train system legislators approved a couple years ago.
Don’t blink, indeed.
What Scott meant when he told lawmakers to keep their eyes wide open during his State of the State address on Tuesday evening was that they shouldn’t be afraid of bold change, of standing up to interest groups who will urge lawmakers to go slow, to think carefully about the consequences before doing big things, or undoing things. Consequences be damned – Scott clearly isn’t a plodder or, really, much of a compromiser.
Making quick, bold decisions without slowing down to get buy-in from all the parties involved has become the new governor’s signature, and he promised in his State of the State that those who want him to tread carefully would be disappointed. They are, he said, simply wrong, which would appear to mean, by extension, that he is right.
“There are (those) who agree on our policy but say that our agenda is too bold – that we need to trim the sails of our imagination and settle for small improvements,” Scott said. “They’re wrong.”
Some legislators might have “thoughtful, constructive modifications” to Scott’s effort to create jobs, he acknowledged. And he said that might be OK. But he warned them not to lose focus on what he – and in his mind many of them – want to do, or blunt his momentum.
That Scott even bothered to go to the Legislature and deliver the State of the State may have surprised some lawmakers, several of whom have said pointedly that Scott should be more respectful of the Legislature’s role in policy making in Florida. And those are just the Republicans.
Here’s one Republican – Sen. Thad Altman – who has already gone to court in an effort to block Scott from killing high speed rail, only to become incensed again late this week when he blinked for a minute and Scott put SunRail on hold:
“He doesn’t respect the legislative process, and the fact that we had a special session where this project was debated and vetted,” Altman told the Orlando Sentinel. “Eventually his bad decisions will catch up with him. The unfortunate thing is how much damage he will do to the people of Florida before it does.”
Wow.
But there Scott was this week, standing before the roughly 160 people who he has come to find out he is supposed to share some power with, asking them to work with him to create jobs, not try to stand in his way.
“I did not fight to become the 45th Governor of the greatest state in the nation to settle for a status quo that does not promote the enormous potential of our people. I am completely committed to this mission,” Scott told them.
“Don’t blink. Don’t let special interests persuade you to turn your back on the people who elected you,” he said.
The state of the state is not particularly good – and Scott acknowledged that.
In the same week when state officials announced that unemployment in January ticked down only slightly and still hovers right around 12 percent – just where it was a year ago – Scott said there were lots of people looking at the first week of the regular legislative session more like an emergency session. They need jobs, he repeated.
Some of those unemployed people were actually at the Capitol this week, though, rather than screaming for Scott to create jobs, they were protesting legislative plans to cut their unemployment benefits off.
There were other protesters at the Capitol this week – tea partiers showing their support for Scott and union members trying to show their dismay at several proposals pushed by Republicans. But the numbers were pretty small – many inside the Capitol could go about their business without really even noticing much about the demonstrations outside.
While much of the theme of Scott’s speech was being bold and not being afraid to dramatically change the status quo, Republicans in the Legislature and Scott and his fellow Cabinet members also moved in a couple of ways this week to block change.
The Senate on the first day of the session voted to ask voters to block the federal health care law – saying that change isn’t what people want. Floridians could still have the right to go without health insurance if the House agrees with the Senate and voters then vote to change the constitution, though it’s not clear if the courts would go along with that idea.
Scott and his fellow members of the Cabinet, sitting as the Executive Clemency Board, also moved to reverse course on some change that was hailed as groundbreaking a few years ago (although primarily by liberals). The board led by Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi voted to reverse a change that had made it easier for ex-felons to get their civil rights back.
When the previous board – with four entirely different members – had voted four years ago to do that, it was hailed as an end to a remnant of the Jim Crow era that had kept former felons disenfranchised. Scott and Bondi said this week, however, that ex-felons should have to work a little harder to prove they’re ready for the responsibility of voting and other rights they’ll now have to work harder to regain.
That one also could be bound for that other branch of government that seems to get in the way when people have big bold ideas, the courts.
Speaking of the courts, House Speaker Dean Cannon also got in on the whole big bold change thing this week. Cannon, who has been clear about his concern about judicial overreaching, proposed this week that the Supreme Court should be split in two, with five justices hearing civil appeals and five justices hearing criminal appeals.
That would be a radical departure from the current seven member court, and it would also require a constitutional change.
So don’t blink.
STORY OF THE WEEK: In the blink of an eye, major pieces of legislation come to the floors of the Senate and House in the first week of the legislative session. Gov. Rick Scott delivers a State of the State speech that urges lawmakers to come with him as he seeks to make dramatic changes.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We have a unique opportunity to put government back in its proper place and show the nation how private-sector growth leads to prosperity. Such a moment may not come again. My ‘jobs’ budget has plenty of critics. Some critics are accustomed to big government and will fight to protect special interests, and there are others who agree on our policy but say that our agenda is too bold – that we need to trim the sails of our imagination and settle for small improvements. They’re wrong.” Gov. Rick Scott in his State of the State speech.
By David Royse
The News Service of Florida
Sheriff’s Office: Escambia Seeing Reduction In Crime
March 12, 2011
A new proactive crime-fighting unit, more deputies on the street and a focus on gun related crimes has resulted in a reduction of crime in Escambia County.
One month after the implementation of these tactics as well as other tactics outlined in a strategic plan aimed at reducing violent crimes in Escambia County, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has seen an overall decrease in crime.
Since December of 2010, the Sheriff’s Office has seen a steady decrease in index crimes, which includes crimes against persons such as homicide, sex offenses, robbery and aggravated assault or battery, and property crimes such as burglary, larceny, and vehicle theft. Crimes against persons declined 13 percent from December 2010 to January 2011 and 20 percent from January 2011 to February 2011. Property crimes declined seven percent from December to January and six percent from January to February.
When compared to the previous year’s crime statistics, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also saw a decrease in total index crimes including a 25 percent decrease in crimes against persons and a three percent decrease in property crimes. Arrests were up five percent in January compared to the previous year.
This trend continued in February with a continued reduction in total index crimes although there was a slight increase in property crimes of seven percent. Crimes against persons in February 2011 declined 41 percent from 166 crimes in February 2010 to 97 crimes in February 2011. Arrests were down by three percent compared to February 2010, which could be attributed to the reduction in criminal activity.
“The increase we are seeing in property crimes is mostly made up of larceny offenses, which can be economically driven. We take this information very seriously and hope that our community policing efforts and increases in our Neighborhood Watch Programs will assist us in reducing these numbers,” said Sheriff David Morgan.
This overall decline in crime in Escambia County can be attributed to the increase in the number of officers patrolling the community through both the Tactical Anti-crime Unit (TAC) and the Desk to Road Program. The Sheriff’s Office implemented the TAC Unit in September of 2010 and increasing it to a 14-person unit in November of 2010. This unit focuses on community policing efforts in high crime areas, street-level drug activity and violent crimes.
The Desk to Road program, implemented in January of 2011, requires officers assigned to administrative positions at the Sheriff’s Office to dedicate time during their workweek to patrolling the community and supplementing the patrol section. This is in addition to their normal work requirements and includes officers of all ranks.
High, Middle School Jazz Bands Rated
March 12, 2011
Area middle and high school bands from took part in the Florida Bandmasters Association District 1 Jazz Music Performance Assessment recently at Niceville High School.
Each of the nine bands were given an overall score based upon tone quality, timing and rhythm, technique and musical effect. Each band was rated on a superior, excellent, good, fair or poor scale.
- Northview High School Swinging Chiefs – Excellent
- Tate High School Varsity Jazz Band – Excellent
- Tate High School Concert Jazz Band — Excellent
- Tate High School Symphonic Jazz Band – Superior
- Ransom Middle School Jazz Band — Superior
- Escambia High School Jazz Band A — Superior
- Escambia High School Jazz Band B — Superior
- Ferry Pass Middle School Jazz Band — Excellent
- Bailey Middle School Jazz Band – Superior
Scores: Northview, Jay, Tate
March 12, 2011
Here’s a look at area high school softball and baseball action from Friday:
–SOFTBALL–
Northview 7 Ponce de Leon 4
Miranda Burkett pitched a full games against Ponce de Leon Friday, striking out six as the Chiefs picked up a 7-4 win.
Digmon when 2-4 for the Chiefs with a double; Emily Vickery was 2-3; Shawna Montgomery was 1-3 with a triple; Misty Doran was 2-4 and Haley Simpson was 1-3.
The Chiefs will travel to Baker next Tuesday, with the JV playing at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
Jay 6 Baker 2
Jay remains undefeated in District 1-2A with a win Friday over the Baker Gators. Sidney Lowery pitched seven for the Lady Royals as she improved her record to 5-0 on the season.
Camille Driver went 3-4 with a run, 2 RBI and a double. Tessa Hendricks had two runs and a double; Alicia Ashworth was 2-4; Ashley Storkes was 2-4 with a RBI; Becca Calloway was 2-4 with a run and RBI.
Tate 4 Pace 3 (9 innings)
The Tate Aggies beat Pace Friday in nine innings, 4-3. Jamie Ujvari pitched all nine for the Lady Aggies, striking out 11 along the way for the win.
Maleah McCombs was 2-3 with 2 RBI; Shelby Myers was 1-4, with a run, an RBI and a double;0 Marina Cobbs went 3-4, with two runs and a double; Amy Waters was 1-3 with one run; and Rachel Dunsford went 1-4 with a RBI.
–BASEBALL–
Pace 4 Tate 0
The Pace Patriots defeated the Tate Aggies Friday, 4-0. Riley Hodge pitched five for the Aggies. Tyler Curtis was 2-2 at the mound for Tate.
Escambia Man Refuses To Cooperate With Deputies After Being Shot
March 11, 2011
A 31-year-old Escambia County man refused to cooperate with responding deputies after being shot early this morning.
At around 1:29 a.m. deputies responded to the 700 block of Old Corry Field Road for a reported shooting. When they arrived they found Sylvester Dearil Moultrie lying on the ground, injured by a gunshot wound to his legs.
Deputies said Moultrie refused to say what happened or provide any information concerning the suspects.
According to a witness, Moultrie was sitting in a late 1990’s model white Ford Taurus, parked on Old Corry Field Road near Merito Street, and he was involved in a verbal argument with the other occupants.
The witness told deputies that he heard a gunshot and saw Moultie being pushed out of the vehicle. He said the vehicle then sped away, heading north on Old Corry Field Road.
“Whether the victim wants our help or not, we need to get these thugs off the street,” said Sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Chris Welborn. “The vehicle was said to be occupied by two black males wearing masks and armed with a high-powered firearm. If anyone can help identify these suspects, we’re asking them to contact us.”
Moultrie was transported to Baptist Hospital for treatment.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Massive Quake Hits Japan; Walnut Hill Resident Safe
March 11, 2011
The most powerful earthquake to hit Japan in over 100 years has killed hundreds and spawned tsunami waves across the Pacific. The massive quake was a magnitude 9.0, creating a 23-foot tsunami that hit northern coast of Japan.
Gavin Willis and his wife Amanda, stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Japan on the island of Okinawa-shi, Okinawa, are among the American military personnel and their families stationed in Japan. The U.S. military is reporting that all troops are safe.
“The quake was at the north end of mainland Japan. We are in the Ryukyu Islands south of the mainland so we didn’t feel a thing,” Amanda told NorthEscambia.com Friday morning. She is 1995 graduate of Ernest Ward High School and a lifelong resident of Walnut Hill.
The quake — which struck about 11:50 p.m. Thursday North Escambia time, 2:50 p.m. Friday in Japan — prompted a tsunami warning across Japan. When we last spoke to Amanda, about 7:45 a.m. North Escambia time, 10:45 p.m. in Japan, the tsunami warning had just been downgraded to a tsunami advisory.
“There is lots of damage from it and the tsunami that it caused on the mainland,” she said. “They are definitely in my prayers.”
Pictured: Amanda Willis of Walnut Hill is stationed in Japan on the Ryukyu Islands south of the mainland with her Air Force husband Gavin Willis and their children Zachary Dylan and Skyler Falon. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWS Team Finds EF1 Tornado Slammed McDavid With 105 MPH Winds
March 11, 2011
A National Weather Service damage assessment team determined Thursday afternoon that an EF1 tornado was responsible for a path of destruction through McDavid.
The weather service believes the tornado had winds of about 105 mph at its peak along a half mile long, 80-yard wide path. The tornado first touched down about 9:28 a.m. Wednesday near Highway 164 just west of Highway 29, skipped across Highway 29 before continuing down Main Street to Railroad Street.
NorthEscambia.com was along with the National Weather Service team Thursday afternoon as they made their decision that a tornado caused the damage, rather than strong thunderstorm winds.
While to some, it might not seem that it would matter if the damage was from straight line winds or a tornado, but the difference is important to forecasters.
“We learn from the storms,” Jeff Garmon, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service Mobile said. “What we learn makes us better forecasts, and better and getting warnings out to the public.”
At the time the storm hit McDavid Wednesday morning, McDavid was under a tornado warning.
That warning helped James Milstead know the urgency of the situation — moments before the roof came off his wood frame home on Main Street. The home was also lifted off its support piers and shifted about three feet away.
“I was in the front room there watching the storms on the TV,” Milstead said Thursday afternoon outside his destroyed home. “I knew the rain was not here yet; I expected there would have been rain. The power blinked off, and I punched the button on my weather radio. They said there was a tornado warning.”
That advance warning gave Milstead the time he needed to take shelter in a hallway, moments before the spiraling 105-mph tornado winds slammed his 60-year old family home.
As the group of meteorologists began surveying the damage along Highway 164, they first thought they were looking at damage from powerful straight line winds. At Joe Flower’s brick home, forecasters estimated that winds of about 90 mph had downed large limbs around the brick home.
At each stop along the way, Garman enters storm damage and GPS coordinates into his Blackberry to track the path of the tornado.
But as the group moved over to Main Street, they began to notice the tell-tale signs of a tornado.
Chimneys that fell in opposite directions. Debris scattered in different directions. A metal basketball goal post bent over to the north when the storm was moving east. Milstead’s home lifted and moved.
And, across the street, almost no damage whatsoever.
“If we are looking at straight line winds, wouldn’t that have had something?” meteorologist Jeffrey Cupo asked his colleagues about the undamaged properties across the street.
Exactly, those trees would have had damage,” Garman said.
“Now, I’m thinking weak tornado,” Cupo replied.
“EF1, I’m thinking upper bound EF1,” Garman said.
“Easily,” Cupo replied.
“It’s obvious we had something more here,” Garman said. “It’s official, we had an EF1.”
Pictured: TLate Thursday afternoon, a team from the National Weather Service Office in Mobile surveys the damage from an EF1 tornado in McDavid. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.